FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2026
Austin, TX — Yesterday, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) authorized the executive administrator to execute an agreement with the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 (“HCDD1”) for a $15 million grant. This award is part of a statewide directive in Senate Bill 1 requiring TWDB to use $581 million from the General Revenue Fund appropriated in House Bill 500 to provide funding for 34 infrastructure, flood, wastewater, and water-supply projects across Texas. House Bill 500 passed last year during the 89th Regular Session and was co-sponsored by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.
The grant will support the Delta Region Water Management Project, which is HCDD1’s regional initiative designed to capture, reclaim, store, and beneficially reuse stormwater currently discharged through the regional drainage outfall system serving Hidalgo and Willacy counties. The Delta Region Water Management Project has been in the works for years now, but the lack of grants for the project has stalled its progress. As proposed, the project focuses on developing infrastructure to reclaim stormwater from the outfall system for beneficial use—primarily for municipal drinking water supply. The project scope includes reservoirs and reclamation facilities at four identified sites—Delta West near Edinburg; Delta on Uncle Peter’s Road; Willacy County Delta along the Main Floodwater Channel; and Engelman along Engelman Road—as well as pumping, treatment, and transmission components needed to deliver reclaimed water.
State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa expressed his support for this grant, stating, “Water is life and is a precious resource. The Delta Reclamation Project is a forward-thinking strategy that Texas needs. It captures stormwater, treats it, and delivers it to customers. This is a win-win for communities facing ongoing droughts and growing demand. Funding for water projects is a priority for the Legislature, and I was proud to work with Representative Mando Martinez and the Valley delegation to submit and secure a budget rider for these funds. I appreciate the efforts of the Hidalgo County Drainage District and the leadership of Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes, who traveled to the Capitol during session to support this project. He has been a key advocate for the funding needed to make this project a reality.”
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